News Update

Dolls with ‘dark complexions’ found hanging at Saratoga schools; hate-crime investigations underway

Hate-crime investigations are underway at the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District and the Saratoga Union School District in Santa Clara County after dolls described to have a “dark complexion” were found hanging at three schools, CBS Bay Area reported.

“Hate has no place in Santa Clara County,” acting county Sheriff Ken Binder said Wednesday. “The Sheriff’s Office will thoroughly investigate these incidents and request prosecution of the offenders to the fullest extent of the law.” The Sheriff’s Office described the incidents as “heinous acts.”

The dolls were found at Prospect High School, Saratoga High School and Redwood Middle School earlier this week.

“On Sunday morning, students practicing music on campus discovered an African-American doll hanging from a tree by a noose in the main quad” at Saratoga High School, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School Superintendent Bill Sanderson, wrote in an email that CBS obtained.

“We cannot state strongly enough that a noose is a reprehensible symbol of hate and violence and will not be tolerated in our district. As a community, we must stand united against such conduct and those who perpetrate it,” Saratoga Union Superintendent Ken Geisick said of a doll found hanging at Redwood Middle School.